Parrot Cichlid

D&M · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 52

I was entertained in the LFS today by a pair of Parrot Cichlids. The price
of them just about knocked me over, but still was entertained.

I was wondering if anyone knew anything about these guys, the info on the
web is fairly weak, mostly heresay.

Specifically wondering a couple questions:

1. Man-made? I read that they're a genetically created fish.

2. Color Changes? I was told to buy them young while they were still
black/grey, then can get them cheaper, and watch the color changes.

3. Behavior - Do these Cichlids behave themselves in a non-cichlid
community? What has been know to be good tank mates?

4. Size - What is the average adult size of a Parrot, and growth rate?

Thanks!

Archived from group: rec>aquaria>freshwater>misc

RedForeman ©® · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 339

> 1. Man-made? I read that they're a genetically created fish.
Hybrid would be the term....

> 2. Color Changes? I was told to buy them young while they were still
> black/grey, then can get them cheaper, and watch the color changes.
Have seen them in Red, Orange, Teal, Blue, and Green....

> 3. Behavior - Do these Cichlids behave themselves in a non-cichlid
> community? What has been know to be good tank mates?
I've seen them lock jaws with Severums, Firemouths, Jewels, Chocolates, Red
Devils, and they all got tore up...

> 4. Size - What is the average adult size of a Parrot, and growth rate?
The biggest I've seen in 4 years is 4 inch body length

> Thanks!
Don't take my word for it, these are just my observations...

NetMax · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 56

midposted..

"D&M" wrote in message@corp.supernews.com...
> I was entertained in the LFS today by a pair of Parrot Cichlids. The
price
> of them just about knocked me over, but still was entertained.
>
> I was wondering if anyone knew anything about these guys, the info on
the
> web is fairly weak, mostly heresay.

http://www.aquahobby.com/gallery/gparrot.html
http://www.geocities.com/parrotcichlid/general.html
http://malawicichlids.com/mw01013.htm
http://cichlidresearch.com/parrot.html
http://cichlidresearch.com/hybrids.html (hybrids)
http://bloodparrot.aquariahobbyist.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi (forum)

> Specifically wondering a couple questions:
>
> 1. Man-made? I read that they're a genetically created fish.

Yes

> 2. Color Changes? I was told to buy them young while they were still
> black/grey, then can get them cheaper, and watch the color changes.

I'd expect that they would revert back to their natural colours if they
were artificially coloured. Many of them have the natural colours of a
Red Devil cichlid (completely uniform orange).

> 3. Behavior - Do these Cichlids behave themselves in a non-cichlid
> community? What has been know to be good tank mates?

It would depend if they take after their Severum heritage (fairly docile,
may be difficult to feed with aggressive tank-mates), or if they take
after their Red Devil heritage (or whatever parontage exists), which
could make them unsuitable for a community tank. I would not trust them
with any fish significantly smaller than themselves.

> 4. Size - What is the average adult size of a Parrot, and growth rate?

Check size limits of possible parental links. I'd guess 8", though I've
also seen them at about 10". I don't think it's going to be accurately
predictable.

NetMax

> Thanks!

D&M · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 52

> 3. Behavior - Do these Cichlids behave themselves in a non-cichlid
> community? What has been know to be good tank mates?

I guess with this question, is I was trying to gather the general temperment
of them. I've been to several lfs's where they named Kribs as very
aggressive, however they get along fine with all my fish. Their "high speed"
2-3" chase to another fish usually never results in even contact.

I am against all died fish, that's just not humane. "Hybrids", that doesn't
bother me one bit. If it did, I would have to live in a bush and eat only
what I grew. Beef, genetically enhanced with human genes, just for example.

Cheers

RedForeman ©® · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 339

> > 3. Behavior - Do these Cichlids behave themselves in a non-cichlid
> > community? What has been know to be good tank mates?

NetMax nailed the behavior issue, copy and pasted...

"It would depend if they take after their Severum heritage (fairly docile,
may be difficult to feed with aggressive tank-mates), or if they take
after their Red Devil heritage (or whatever parontage exists), which
could make them unsuitable for a community tank. I would not trust them
with any fish significantly smaller than themselves."

> I guess with this question, is I was trying to gather the general
temperment
> of them. I've been to several lfs's where they named Kribs as very
> aggressive, however they get along fine with all my fish. Their "high
speed"
> 2-3" chase to another fish usually never results in even contact.

I've seen them get aggressive, but why? I'm not sure... it was a 3.5 or so
BRP and a green severum that locked jaws for a few seconds, and the parrot
wouldn't back down.... it was my severum and I had just dropped it off
because it outgrew it's old tank, it was bigger than a discus and the parrot
was in a tank with 2 others, and didn't like the new addition.... I would
say semi-aggressive...

> I am against all died fish, that's just not humane. "Hybrids", that
doesn't
> bother me one bit. If it did, I would have to live in a bush and eat only
> what I grew. Beef, genetically enhanced with human genes, just for
example.
>
> Cheers
>
>

~Vicki ~ · Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 172

They have them at my local pet store and I was told that they are highly
aggressive. I have to believe my pet store is telling me the truth
because in the past 2 years that I have been dealing with them they have
never lied to me to make a fast buck. In fact, when I have had
questions and they didn't have the answer right off the top of their
heads, would look up the info in front of me.

Vicki